Cats: "The Jellicle Ball"

Josephine Kearns (she/her) is a dramaturg, theatre creative, and gender consultant who tells stories of queer and trans affirmation and joy.

Zhailon Levingston is a Louisiana-raised storyteller, director, and activist. He is a Board Member for the Broadway Advocacy Coalition, which he co-created, and teaches the Theatre of Change course at Columbia University.

Arturo Lyons (aka NY Father Icon Arturo Miyake-Mugler) is a choreographer based in New York. Finding dance in school at a young age, he’s studied Hip Hop, Vogue, Reggae and Street Jazz, and combined them to form his own signature style as well as learning music as a DJ and creating dance tracks of his own.

Artistic Director Bill Rauch is the Inaugural Artistic Director of Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC).

The Really Useful Group is wholly owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber and exists to produce, licence and promote his shows and music around the globe, including some of the world’s longest running and most successful musicals including The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Sunset Boulevard and School of Rock – The Musical. The Really Useful Group works across theatre, film and television, producing and developing new projects and partnerships worldwide, alongside ongoing work in education, amateur licensing and music publishing. Each year, across markets in every corner of the world, The Really Useful Group’s content reaches and is shared by hundreds of millions of people.

Broadway credits include Music Director/Conductor for the revival of Cats, Associate Conductor for the revival of Evita with Ricky Martin and Associate Conductor for the final company of The Phantom of the Opera. Guest conductor with many US orchestras, including the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, The Florida Orchestra, the North Carolina Symphony and the Rochester Philharmonic. Off-Broadway/regional credits include Grey Gardens (starring Betty Buckley), South Pacific, and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Graduate of The Peabody Conservatory (MM) and The University of Mississippi (BM).

Andrew Lloyd Webber has composed the scores of some of the world’s most famous musicals. From Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1969) to Bad Cinderella (2023). Lloyd Webber has had shows running continually in the West End for 50 years and on Broadway for 43.

Ousmane “Omari” Wiles is an African American West African and Vogue dancer. Wiles is best known as, legendary Omari NiNa Oricci, founder of The House of Nina Oricci [est. Oct. 2019] and Creative Director of Les Ballet Afrik dance company.

Broadway: The Inheritance, Choir Boy, Tuck Everlasting. Off-Broadway: Love + Science (NY City Center Stage II); Patience (Second Stage); Toni Stone (Roundabout); Joan of Arc: Into the Fire (Public). Tours: Mary Poppins, A Christmas Story, Joseph…, Cats. TV: Harlem (Prime Video); New Amsterdam (NBC); Only Murders in the Building (Hulu); Bridge and Tunnel (EPIX). Film: Noah’s Arc: The ‘Rona Chronicles, The Distinguished. Co-creator of @notlookingtheseries. BFA, Ithaca College. Facebook: Jonathan Burke | X: @itsjonburke | Instagram: @itsjonathanburke

Baby was born and raised in Queens, NY. She grew up dancing on the beach, doing community theatre, and listening to music from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. In 2018, she learned many dance styles partnering with the music from her childhood: disco (waacking), classic house (old way vogue, house, and vogue femme), and hip-hop. She joined Ballroom in 2019 and has traveled extensively, walking balls and winning Women’s Performance of the Year (Southeast Region) twice. She’s grateful to her Ballroom father Omari for naming her Baby, reminding her to be curious and approach life and art playfully without judgement. Shoutout to her mom Joann and boyfriend Izzy for being the best support system! Instagram: @burnbabygocrazy

Off-Broadway debut! Tara is an alumna of Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama where she played Sonya in The Great Comet of 1812 and Clara in A Movie Star Has to Star in Black and White. Credits: Nell Gywnn in Nell Gywnn and Mrs. Squires in The Music Man at Texas Shakespeare Festival. She would like to thank God, Mom, Alex, Dad, Lisa Blair-Hawkins, and friends for every ounce of love along the way! @taraclinkscales

Broadway: Tony Award-winning, Grammy nominated revival of Once on This Island, The Lion King. Regional: Goddess (Berkeley Rep), Witness Uganda (ART), The Brother Sister Plays (Steppenwolf), In the red and brown water (Alliance), The Brothers Size (Syracuse Stage/South Africa Market Theatre) Off-Broadway: Rock and Roll Man Adelco Award Winner and Lortel Nomination for Best Featured Actor (New World Stages), Invisible Thread (Second Stage), Joan of Arc (Public NY), Central Avenue Breakdown (Signature Theatre) Outstanding Individual Performance NYMTF. Dedicating performance to Mom Betty Lue Covington.

In a career spanning fifty-five years, André De Shields, at age 78, has distinguished himself as a legendary actor/activist, iconic philanthropist and Broadway deity. As Actor, Mr. De Shields’ mission is to fill intimate spaces with enormous beauty, defining intimate spaces as the hearts of humanity. As Activist, he endeavors to to restore majesty, elegance and literacy to the Black Thespian’s toolbox; to advocate for long term survivors of HIV and AIDS, and to champion the legacy of the Wellderly (elderly individuals who continue to kick butt). www.andredeshields.com. Ubuntu!

Off-Broadway: The Secret Life of Bees (Atlantic Theater Company), Maury Yeston’s Anything Can Happen in the Theater (York Theatre Company). Film: Universal Pictures’ Bros. Regional: Dreamgirls (North Carolina Theatre), Hairspray (Laguna Playhouse). Pace University BFA Musical Theater. All my love and gratitude to God, my family and friends, Jalontae, the creative team, and my amazing reps: Harold, Cyd, and Michele.

Bryce Farris is a recent graduate of Pace University NYC with a major in Business Management. He is a native of Georgia and has been cast in several musicals and drama series including a musical tribute to Aretha Franklin working with renowned artist and Stellar Award winner LaShun Pace, the Showtime drama The First Lady, and the comedy movie Coming to America 2 starring Eddie Murphy. Bryce is an active member in the Ballroom community alongside his support system, the house of Telfar.

Bryce is currently a principal dancer for the A-list artist Lil Kim and has most recently worked alongside Tina Knowles for the Beyonce Halloween special on the Sherri Shepard Show and plans to one day open his own studio to give back to his community.

Sydney James Harcourt is a Grammy®-winning multidisciplinary artist from Detroit, Michigan. Stage credits include: Hamilton (Aaron Burr), The Lion King (Simba), American Idiot, Girl from the North Country (Joe Scott – Drama Desk nomination). TV/Film includes: FBI, Blue Bloods, Elementary, Tell Me A Story, Edouard on Netflix’s Castlevania: Nocturne, Enchanted, and Disney’s Hamilton movie. Sydney recently appeared on PBS’s Black Broadway concert and is currently working on a Dance/Electronic album with Netflix Music Lab.

Originally from New York City, Dava holds a degree from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance and is an alum of Springboard Danse Montreal. Her performance career commenced as a company member with Dance Theater Company Vim Vigor. Other performance attainments include works by: Yin Yue Dance Company, Telfar TV, Jacolby Satterwhite, Johannes Weiland, Laja Martin, Maxine Doyle, Rena Butler, Marla Phelan, Stephanie Batten Bland, Sidra Bell, Christoph Wrinkler Company, & Martha Graham Dance Company. Huesca is an original member of Haus Telfar (NYC). @davahuesca

Dudney Joseph Jr. is deeply honored to be part of PAC NYC’s Inaugural Season and share the enchanting spirit of Ballroom culture since joining the community in 2011. Off–Broadway: The Harder They Come (The Public Theater). Regional: Angels in America, Little Shop of Horrors, Ain’t Misbehavin’. Film: The True Adventures of Wolfboy, The American Side. TV: The Crowded Room, Harlem, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Run the World. Dudney would like to thank his parents, loved ones, and DGRW for their support and love. @DudneyJr Ballroom name: Teddy007

Capital Kaos is a Brooklyn, New York-based Ballroom DJ and producer who is part of an international collective production crew called PumpDaBeat. He draws inspiration from the sounds of Ballroom music and from other producers such as the late, great Vjuan Allure and the well-known DJ MikeQ. His blends and mixes are guaranteed to get your body moving and voguing on the dance floor. Some of his well-known works are the tracks Runaway and Majorette C*nt.

A member of The Iconic House Of LaBeija for more than 50 years, LaBeija is popular within Gay Culture and Ballroom (Worldwide) for being the trailblazer, pioneer, and iconic master of ceremony for the annual “Paris Is Burning Ball” hosted by the late trailblazer, pioneer, and icon Paris Dupree. LaBeija is the M.C. in the 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning by filmmaker Jennie Livingston. He is a humanitarian.

Robert “Silk” Mason is a multidisciplinary artist born in the Bronx, and raised in Columbia, SC. Robert attended The South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities for dance and The Juilliard School for Dance. They are an international award-winning film actor seen in Into the Colors, Forged in Chaos, and Hold You Down. National commercials: Facebook Messenger Rooms 2020, Super Bowl LVII Apple Music and Rihanna Halftime Show 2023, 212 Carolina Herrera Fragrance Campaign 2024. They are a published model, choreographer, LGBTQIA+ youth leader, and founding mother of the new Kiki Royal Haus of Silk.

Jenny is purrrring with delight to be joining the Jellicle Ball! Broadway/National Tour: The Color Purple, Six: The Musical on Broadway, 50th Anniversary National Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. Additional Credits: Associate choreographer/featured dancer in Tituss Burgess’ music video “45”, commercial for Google Pixel, Season 3 of Girls5Eva, and more. Thank you to my family, loved ones, CCM, and Henderson Hogan, for your constant support and guidance. Much love to the Cats family for welcoming me with open arms! @jenny.mollet / jennymollet.com.

Tempress (Chasity Moore) is an actress, singer, and Ballroom Icon/Hall of famer from Mount Vernon, N.Y. She began singing in church at age 5, which led her to Star Search, The Apollo, and traveling with a high school drama troupe. Chasity attended Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta, GA) and pursued a singing career. She was discovered by Tyler Perry, being cast as a transgender person prior to her own transition in I Know I’ve Been Changed. The name Tempress was born in Ballroom. She’s a founder and Queen Mother of her house organization Maison Margiela, has made appearances on Ryan Murphy’s Pose, and in campaigns for Sephora and Tvone. She hosts a YouTube series and a podcast FqCrazySexyCool. Chasity looks forward to being back on stage.

Ivy is excited to be joining Cats: “The Jellicle Ball” family here at PAC NYC! A homegrown talent of the New York Ballroom scene, Ivy is fresh off the runway of the Madonna Celebration world tour as a featured soloist, dancer, Vogue instructor and co-choreographer of the hit song Vogue (featuring Beyonce). Ivy has studied all styles of voguing under the greats, and trained classically under Eleve Dance theater in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop. Her work with brands such as Telfar, Steve Madden, Adidas and much more can be seen in campaigns all over the world. Ivy would like to thank her family for always supporting her dreams of working in the theater, her mentor Arturo Lyons for always believing in her, and the PAC NYC family for this extraordinary opportunity!

Zachary made her Broadway debut where she understudied the roles of Thought One and Thought Two in the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical A Strange Loop (Broadway.) Some of her other notable credits include: A Complicated Woman (Goodspeed Musicals), Dylan Mulvaney’s 365 Days of Girlhood Live, and Emojiland (National Tour). “Much Love to Jhonika and Stacy who are my biggest supporters!” and a special thank you to Clear Talent Group. Trans rights are human rights!
IG: @zacharyamyers

Primo is a Cincinnati, Ohio, native living in New York City. At 14, Primo started at the School for Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati. Ballets include Giselle, Dracula, The Nutcracker. Musicals include 101 Dalmatians, Brigadoon, Peter Pan. In 2015, Primo attended The Young Americans College of Performing Arts, touring more than 16 countries and teaching dance, vocal music, and confidence building through the arts. Primo has performed in international dinner theater (Germany) and was the top producer choice for the final season of So You Think Can Dance (2020). He’s a freelance instructor and voguer and hopes to own his own dance studio to plant just a tiny seed of hope that music can change the world. In the Iconic House of Juicy Couture in the Kiki Scene and in The Premier House of Donyale Luna in the main scene.

Xavier Reyes is a proud born and raised Puertorican! Having worked all over the US, Puerto Rico, Japan, and Canada, credits include: Lynn Nottage’s Clyde’s (multiple venues); Pulitzer Prize winning plays Sweat and Anna in the Tropics; Che in Evita; Moliere’s Scapin; Trading Places directed by Kenny Leon (Alliance Theatre); Kinky Boots (first Broadway national tour); and many others. Thank you, creatives, cast, BLOC, Zhailon, Bill, Cooper, my Queer LatinX ancestors, and You for showing up and supporting this ball henny! Follow @XavierReyesActor

Nora Schell graduated from The University of Michigan with a BFA in musical theatre and a minor in gender, race, and nation. They received Drama Desk, Drama League, and Clive Barnes Award nominations for their Off-Broadway debut in Spamilton. Nora made their Broadway debut in Jagged Little Pill. With their educational background, Nora continues to cultivate a career focused on the intersection of performing and social justice. Thank you to Gregg Baker Management and their family. @noraschellmusic

Bebe Nicole Simpson (she/her) is joyously making her PAC NYC debut! Credits include: Broadway: Camelot. Off-Broadway: The Refuge Plays; Ink’d Well; Penelope or How the Odyssey Was Really Written. Regional: The Wiz, world premiere of Head Over Heels (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); Mr. Burns, The Tempest, Into the Woods (Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival). Television: Law & Order SVU. She’s overwhelmed with gratitude for her incredible husband, family, friends, manager, agency, and above all, Emmanuel.

Emma Sofia graduated from SUNY Purchase Dance Conservatory and immediately joined the international tour of West Side Story. She danced with contemporary ballet companies Morphoses and Ballet Hispánico. She made her debut in the original Broadway cast of Finding Neverland as Wendy. She then originated the role of Veruca Salt on Broadway’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. TV credits include Fosse/Verdon, Law and Order SVU, Alternatino, Celia on Call Your Mother, and on film in the highly anticipated Kiss of the Spiderwoman (2024). “The truth is, no one of us can be free until everybody is free” —Maya Angelou

Phumzile Sojola from South Africa is delighted to join the Jellicle Ball! Broadway: Cinderella, Porgy and Bess (OBC). Off Broadway: Dear World (Encores!); Dreaming Zenzile (NYTW); Three Mo’ Tenors (The Little Schubert). Regional: Ragtime (Boston Symphony/Tanglewood); Master Harold and the Boys (Syracuse Stage); Phantom of the Opera (North American Tour); Cinderella (Sacramento Music Circus); Lost in the Stars (Skylark Opera). Opera: Life and Times of Malcolm X (Metropolitan Opera); Porgy and Bess (Edinburgh International Festival); L’etoile (New York City Opera). Shout out to my people at Station 3 and love to my family, AJ, and Zani. IG: @phumzile_sojola and www.phumzilesojola.com

Kendall Grayson Stroud is honored to have been part of this ‘Jellicle’ family since the beginning. This project has taught them more about family, self-love, and artistry than their entire artistic career. They are immensely grateful to the Ballroom community for welcoming them and providing a space where they could find themselves. They thank PAC NYC for putting their trust in them to be a part of this historic moment. They’d also like to thank X Casting for everything they’ve done for this budding queer artist of color. NYU Tisch School of the Arts’ Department of Drama graduate (2022). Thank you for coming and welcome to… The Jellicle Ball!

Kai B. White is thrilled to make her Off-Broadway debut with this iconic cast! Select Regional: Paper Mill Playhouse, The Ford’s Theatre, Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre Engeman Theater, Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Virginia Musical Theatre, and Virginia Stage Company. Special thanks to her agent Brian Herrick, her chosen family for their constant support, and Nathan for being her favorite human! Instagram/Tiktok: @KaiBWhite

Garnet Williams is a writer, actor, and singer originally from Atlanta. Some favorite roles include The Lovebird in Skyward: An Endling Elegy (Powerhouse) and Miss Olivia Blonde in At Hotel MacGuffin (Parity). More recently she has been on concert stages from Caveat to Joe’s Pub. For Lucile.

Ft. Lauderdale born with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Penn State University, Teddy, is extremely grateful and excited to be a part of this production of Cats: “The Jellicle Ball”. With special thanks to CTG and the friends and family who have supported them along the way. The show is filled with a rich culture and history that is so necessary to the black and brown queer community. We hope to do it justice!